Competition Trailer Air Conditioner

YokeUp · 05-26-2011, 03:01 PM

hey ya'll.... I took the leap and ordered our first competition trailer...it's a baby step up from the tents... 6x12 cargo trailer. We are having them finish the inside with insulation, lights and flooring. One thing I didn't add is the air conditioner, their only option was a $1100 roof unit. I have talked with people about adding a window unit for much less cost, but you have to cut a hole in one of the sides..I'm thinking the front in one of the V- panels.... Here's the question, have any of you done this and if so, can you share your wisdom with me?

thanks in advance.

BearCat · 05-26-2011, 03:03 PM

Never done it, but dealing with AC units alot. remember not only the cutting but you may need a mounting bracket so that would work better on the front then hanging on the side while in route

Goddahavit · 05-26-2011, 03:05 PM

i would make sure the top is reinforced for a roof ac and look for a used one, i have seen 13.5 units for around 300. it doesn't look hard to install them.

just a thought...

Carnivorous Endeavors BBQ · 05-26-2011, 03:27 PM

Hey Jeff,

You got it bad don't you??? BBQ in the blood..ha ha Moving up out of the realm of us tent dwellers and getting all fancy with a trailer..ha ha

widespread · 05-26-2011, 03:28 PM

I use a roll-around portable 8k BTU a/c in our 16' box trailer, works ok. All I had to do was cut a small hole in the floor for the exhaust hose.

BBQ Bandit · 05-26-2011, 03:37 PM

You didn't mention if you have double barn doors or a tilt ramp ...

An alternate direction... have barn doors. Picked up a foam insulation board ... 2" x 4' x 8' and trimmed to fit (held in place by friction only).... just folding back the right door and secured in place. Using a portable shelf... secured a window a/c unit and cut out the opening... keeping the trailer intact.

Big Ugly's BBQ · 05-26-2011, 03:43 PM

That there is an OUTSTANDING idea, Bandit. There will be time when the AC unit is not needed and that hole will become a problem.

YokeUp · 05-26-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ Bandit

You didn't mention if you have double barn doors or a tilt ramp ...

An alternate direction... have barn doors. Picked up a foam insulation board ... 2" x 4' x 8' and trimmed to fit (held in place by friction only).... just folding back the right door and secured in place. Using a portable shelf... secured a window a/c unit and cut out the opening... keeping the trailer intact.

WOW, that's an amazing approach, thank you so much

gmholler · 05-26-2011, 03:46 PM

Jeff-
Contact Barry Smith (he'll be in Baton Rouge this weekend, I'm not sure if he's coming to Natchitoches next weekend) - he sold us our trailer with the window A/C unit in the front. I don't recall right off-hand if he said they had to install that special or not. I couldn't live without the A/C!

Lynn H.

crd26a · 05-26-2011, 03:53 PM

My recommendation would be to have an AC Mount & Power put into the trailer then buy and install the AC yourself. It "should" save you a couple of hundred bucks, but will be up and out of the way, be setup to handle the AC much better and won't be a rigged setup that something could go wrong on. You can shop online for the right AC unit for you, easy to find some links and various price ranges, but IMHO will serve you better in the long run.

Oh, and if you do go this route, take into account needed head clearance around it. Just FYI

Smoke'n Ice · 05-26-2011, 04:13 PM

Go on craigs list and get a roof top unit and put it in yourself. It goes where the vent is. If the manufacturer offers it as an option, then the support is already there. Bought mine on craigs for $150 3 years ago and it still works great. Even put in the heat strip for thoes cold nights early in the year. Runs off a 20 amp service. You will need some putty to place under the roof flange and some help getting it up there. My son-in-law and I put mine on. Just put a piece of plywood on the roof to support my fat A$$ and it was a piece of cake.

I can assure you, it's not worth $1,100.00 that they want.

DCFIREMANN · 05-26-2011, 05:01 PM

Look on Ebay. In the camper parts listing. The unit should not cost you more than 400.00. A roof mounted unit is the only way to go.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

The_Kapn · 05-26-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widespread

I use a roll-around portable 8k BTU a/c in our 16' box trailer, works ok. All I had to do was cut a small hole in the floor for the exhaust hose.

I have never considered or thought of a portable unit.
Did some "shopping" and I am going to buy one for Sherman.
I am amazed at the way they have improved over the years.
Very cost effective.

That may solve the "I am not doing summer comps" problem I have faced.

Thanks for the idea.

TIM

RobKC · 05-26-2011, 05:41 PM

If you go with the window unit in the barn door method, make sure the ac is tilted back just enough so the condensate will drain.

huminie · 05-26-2011, 08:00 PM

Just be careful with the big rooftop units. The draw a lot of power and can be damaged if there is low voltage. A lot of them require 30amps to work reliably and you can burn them out if the voltage is poor.

This thread just reminded me that I have a window AC unit in my garage. It was used for one summer only...that summer was 1996. I wonder if that thing still works...

05-26-2011, 03:01 PM	#1
YokeUp On the road to being a farker Join Date: 03-30-11 Location: Ponchatoula, LA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Competition Trailer Air Conditioner hey ya'll.... I took the leap and ordered our first competition trailer...it's a baby step up from the tents... 6x12 cargo trailer. We are having them finish the inside with insulation, lights and flooring. One thing I didn't add is the air conditioner, their only option was a $1100 roof unit. I have talked with people about adding a window unit for much less cost, but you have to cut a hole in one of the sides..I'm thinking the front in one of the V- panels.... Here's the question, have any of you done this and if so, can you share your wisdom with me? thanks in advance. __________________ Give it to God - Competition BBQ http://www.yokeup.net/BBQ.html XXL Charcoal Baskets http://www.yokeup.net/XXLBaskets.html

05-26-2011, 03:05 PM	#3
Goddahavit Take a breath! Join Date: 08-18-08 Location: PA, Fleetwood Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	i would make sure the top is reinforced for a roof ac and look for a used one, i have seen 13.5 units for around 300. it doesn't look hard to install them. just a thought... __________________ Fire & Spice Cook Team Backwoods Authorized Dealer fireandspicebbq@gmail.com Backyard Jambo Backwoods Gater Stump's Stretch Bubba Keg Meadowcreek PR60 Weber WSM Old weber gasser

05-26-2011, 03:27 PM	#4
Carnivorous Endeavors BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-13-10 Location: Carencro, Louisiana Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Hey Jeff, You got it bad don't you??? BBQ in the blood..ha ha Moving up out of the realm of us tent dwellers and getting all fancy with a trailer..ha ha __________________ 2 - 22.5" WSM , Weber 22.5 Performer and a very tolerant, very Beautiful Wife!! Black & Blue Thermapens!! KCBS CBJ & TC #55078 IBCA #2570

05-26-2011, 03:28 PM	#5
widespread Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-25-07 Location: Elkton, MD Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use a roll-around portable 8k BTU a/c in our 16' box trailer, works ok. All I had to do was cut a small hole in the floor for the exhaust hose. __________________ Jon widespread barbecue KCBS CBJ #22109 Mid Atlantic BBQ Association FEC100 Righthanded, FEC100 Lefthanded Meadow Creek PR72 Pig cooker wsm & Weber kettle

05-26-2011, 03:37 PM	#6
BBQ Bandit Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-15-08 Location: Harrisburg, PA Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	You didn't mention if you have double barn doors or a tilt ramp ... An alternate direction... have barn doors. Picked up a foam insulation board ... 2" x 4' x 8' and trimmed to fit (held in place by friction only).... just folding back the right door and secured in place. Using a portable shelf... secured a window a/c unit and cut out the opening... keeping the trailer intact. __________________ Bacon should be capitalized as a pronoun for pork! A BBQ Servant; cooking for the Troops, Churches, and Charity Operation BBQ Relief founding member Lang 84 Deluxe Kitchen known as "The Glamazon" Custom Klose Backyard Chef... of Snot, 22.5 WSM Former smokers; Lang 60 Mobile - The Damsel II, Lang 48 Patio - The Damsel, and Bubba Keg Grill - RIP

05-26-2011, 03:03 PM	#2
BearCat Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 07-29-08 Location: Deerfield, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Never done it, but dealing with AC units alot. remember not only the cutting but you may need a mounting bracket so that would work better on the front then hanging on the side while in route

05-26-2011, 03:43 PM	#7
Big Ugly's BBQ Take a breath! Join Date: 05-27-08 Location: Perryville, MD Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	That there is an OUTSTANDING idea, Bandit. There will be time when the AC unit is not needed and that hole will become a problem. __________________ Chris, the quiet 1/3 of 3-Eyz BBQ Big Ugly's BBQ & 3 Eyz BBQ www.biguglybbq.com, www.3eyzbbq.com http://3eyzbbq.blogspot.com/ Cooking Class June 8-9 (details @ http://3eyzbbq.com/rubsales.htm) Backwoods Competitor, Char-Griller, WSM, MC BBQ-60 Thanks to our sponsors: The BBQ Guru, Grizzly Coolers, The Ingredients Store (FAB), Yoder Smokers, 1st Mariner Mortgage

05-26-2011, 03:46 PM	#9
gmholler On the road to being a farker Join Date: 04-15-09 Location: Lafayette, LA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Jeff- Contact Barry Smith (he'll be in Baton Rouge this weekend, I'm not sure if he's coming to Natchitoches next weekend) - he sold us our trailer with the window A/C unit in the front. I don't recall right off-hand if he said they had to install that special or not. I couldn't live without the A/C! Lynn H.

05-26-2011, 03:53 PM	#10
crd26a Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-16-09 Location: Olathe, KS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	My recommendation would be to have an AC Mount & Power put into the trailer then buy and install the AC yourself. It "should" save you a couple of hundred bucks, but will be up and out of the way, be setup to handle the AC much better and won't be a rigged setup that something could go wrong on. You can shop online for the right AC unit for you, easy to find some links and various price ranges, but IMHO will serve you better in the long run. Oh, and if you do go this route, take into account needed head clearance around it. Just FYI __________________ Border War Smokers - "BBQ worth killin' your neighbor for"

05-26-2011, 04:13 PM	#11
Smoke'n Ice is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-08-09 Location: Plano, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Go on craigs list and get a roof top unit and put it in yourself. It goes where the vent is. If the manufacturer offers it as an option, then the support is already there. Bought mine on craigs for $150 3 years ago and it still works great. Even put in the heat strip for thoes cold nights early in the year. Runs off a 20 amp service. You will need some putty to place under the roof flange and some help getting it up there. My son-in-law and I put mine on. Just put a piece of plywood on the roof to support my fat A$$ and it was a piece of cake. I can assure you, it's not worth $1,100.00 that they want.

05-26-2011, 05:01 PM	#12
DCFIREMANN On the road to being a farker Join Date: 04-03-09 Location: WESTERN MARYLAND Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Look on Ebay. In the camper parts listing. The unit should not cost you more than 400.00. A roof mounted unit is the only way to go. Be Safe THE DAWG __________________ BACKWOODS PIGLET BACKWOOD CHUBBY 2- JR ENTERPRISES 72-28 1- JR ENTERPRISES 60-23 1 SOUTHERN PRIDE BBR-79 1 SOUTHERN PRIDE SPK-500 WEBER RANCH KETTLE 2-WEBER 26.75 GOLD KETTLES The DC Fire Department Firefighting BBQ Team!

05-26-2011, 05:41 PM	#14
RobKC Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-10-07 Location: Huger, SC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If you go with the window unit in the barn door method, make sure the ac is tilted back just enough so the condensate will drain. __________________ Go For Smoke BBQ - Huger SC Border War Smokers - "BBQ worth killin' your neighbor for" KCBS CBJ Custom Superior Smokers trailer with 2 SS-Twos, Stoked WSM, 22.5" OTG 2008 National Championship KANSAS JAYHAWK BLUE Thermapen You can't go back and you can't stand still If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will

05-26-2011, 08:00 PM	#15
huminie is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-11-10 Location: Gilroy, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Just be careful with the big rooftop units. The draw a lot of power and can be damaged if there is low voltage. A lot of them require 30amps to work reliably and you can burn them out if the voltage is poor. This thread just reminded me that I have a window AC unit in my garage. It was used for one summer only...that summer was 1996. I wonder if that thing still works... __________________ 2011 CBBQA Rookie ToY - 6th Overall, 2012 American Royal Invitational - Huminie's Hogalicious BBQ

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Looking for a Propane Grill for an "Open-air" Trailer	WSM2	Q-talk	2	03-07-2011 08:23 AM
Post photos of your Open-Air Utility (BBQ) Trailer	WSM2	Q-talk	17	03-06-2011 08:31 PM
My competition trailer	Ford	Competition BBQ	32	01-21-2008 07:00 PM
Looking for Competition Trailer help.	Sawdustguy	Competition BBQ	8	07-06-2006 08:17 AM